Lexington One Educational Foundation awards Bucks for Books Grants to all Lexington District One first-year teachers

The Lexington One Educational Foundation recently awarded a total of $33,000 in Bucks for Books Grants to Lexington District One’s first-year teachers. The focus of these grants is to support literacy efforts in the district. Accordingly, each of the district’s 132 first-year teachers received a $250 grant to purchase books to build their classroom libraries and enhance the learning experiences of their students through reading.

Lexington District One Reading and Language Arts Coordinator Dr. Erica Bissell; Educational Foundation Board Chair Chris Rice; and Educational Foundation Executive Director Julie Anderson Washburn

This is the fifth year that the Educational Foundation has generously awarded Bucks for Books Grants to promote and support literacy in Lexington District One. These grants are made possible by donations from Lexington District One employees’ gifts to the LEAP (Lexington Emergency/Education Assistance Plan) Education Fund. Each fall the foundation staff and many dedicated volunteers ask for generous donations. We are extremely fortunate that our Lexington District One administrators, teachers and staff are very kind in giving to support educational and emergency needs that exist in the district.

Executive Director Julie Washburn stated, “Our Lexington One Educational Foundation Board of Directors continues to recognize the importance of developing literacy skills in our students. Our Bucks for Books Grants this school year are a sustained investment in our students in Lexington District One, as well as an investment in supporting the district’s first-year teachers by providing important educational tools to enhance student learning. We greatly appreciate all who donated to our LEAP Campaign, as these gifts make such grants a reality.”

Educational Foundation Board Chair Chris Rice shared, “Our board of directors learned of the need for more books in our classrooms a number of years ago when South Carolina mandated the Read to Succeed legislation. Since then, we have proudly stayed the course and invested a tremendous amount of grant funds to purchase books, which support our students’ literacy skills in Lexington District One.”

To date the Lexington One Educational Foundation has invested $128,500 through the Bucks for Bucks Grants and awards have been given to all 31 schools in our district. Such generous grant funds ultimately give our students more access to books and, in turn, strengthen the literacy education and skills of our Lexington District One students.

About Lexington School District One Educational Foundation

Established in 1994 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, the Lexington One Educational Foundation is a source of growth and support for Lexington County School District One. Our mission is to support the district’s educational programs and enrich the quality of life in our community by raising and managing funds. Annually, the Foundation works to build partnerships with individuals and corporations in order to benefit our students, teachers, and schools. We plant seeds in our district that bloom into amazing educational opportunities for our students! To learn more about our mission and how to give, visit our website: www.lexington1.net/educationalfoundation.